Monday, December 5, 2016

Looking at Homes for Sale: Consider Living in a Condo in Beverly, MA



Known as the Garden City, Beverly, MA is ideal for buyers who love coastal living and a tranquil atmosphere. The coastal community on the North Shore is the choice of buyers who appreciate small town ambiance with proximity to Boston. Beverly is the ideal community for buyers who love waterfront living, boating, golf, and outdoor summer concerts. Nature trails run along the waterfront or wooded areas, and through the charming downtown section of the city.

Homes for sale in Beverly are as diverse as its neighborhoods. Buying a condo in Beverly is a smart alternative to renting and is more economical than many buyers think. Many of the condos are in older, renovated homes that feature amenities that are common in newer complexes.

Areas To Consider

The renaissance district is for the buyer who loves the nightlife, dining in upscale restaurants, the theater, live musical performances, and shopping at trendy boutiques. The Royal Side neighborhood is close to the downtown area and the commuter railway station. If you're looking for waterfront views, Goat Hill is convenient to commuter trains and downtown. Experience the tranquility of living on the water surrounded by nature and the changing seasons from your private balcony. Beverly Farms and Pride's Crossing are two of the most desirable neighborhoods.

Luxury Condos

If you want to live on the Bass River in an elegant condo where you can socialize with friends in the cozy lounge with a fireplace or media center, entertain guests in your open concept, light filled condo, or relax on your private balcony, then Elliott Landing may be just what you're looking for. The Frick House is a spectacular, turn-of-the-century condo that was formerly a carriage house with wainscoting and custom molding. Original hardwood floors and fireplaces are part of the charm of the Frick House, which has deeded beach rights.

Cummings Center

An advantage to living in Beverly is having access to the Cummings Center, formerly a shoe manufacturing complex. The center houses more than 500 businesses, print and copy services, a post office, medical facilities, and restaurants. The complex is set on 80 landscaped acres with spaces for picnics, a jogging trail, and views of the pond.

If you're searching for a new condo or your dream home on the ocean, Beverly has condos to appeal to every lifestyle and budget.

Sources:
Eagle Rock, Beyond the Gilded Age Blog
What is it like to live in Beverly? Boston Globe
Beverly, Massachusetts, bestplaces.net

Monday, November 21, 2016

Real Estate 101: A Few Considerations When Purchasing Older Homes



Buying an older home to renovate is always an adventure. The great thing about buying older houses is that there are plenty of resources available when you require information about their designs as well as renovation ideas. One of the things that may assist you in your search for the perfect real estate is making use of the expertise of an exclusive buyer's agent.

Finding the Right Professionals

If you have plans to renovate but keep your property's historical value intact, you need to make sure you have access to the right professionals. There are many contractors in the Boston North Shore area, but not all of them work exclusively or extensively with older homes. Using a professional who works extensively with older houses will not only ensure they can preserve its value but also ensure they know about many of the issues associated with older homes.

Energy Efficiency

One thing many homeowners are concerned about is whether the home they have bought will be energy-efficient. Even though many older homes will require some changes to be more energy-efficient, these changes are fairly easy to make without damaging the historical features. An energy audit that takes place shortly after you buy the home will likely make a major difference. Some of the changes that may prove beneficial include newer appliances, better insulation, and the addition of storm doors or windows.

The Broad Appeal of Older Homes

Many people purchasing property in the Boston North Shore area find the historic homes in the area very refreshing. These old homes have a very beautiful, unique character that is simply impossible to find in settings with all newer homes. Everyone who visits your new home will enjoy its charm, especially if you have gone to great lengths to help preserve its character. Regardless of whether your house will be primarily a family home, or you have bigger ideas for it, the steps you take to preserve its character will make a difference.

Source:

History & Heritage, discovernewengland.org

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Helpful Things to Consider When Buying Boston North Shore Homes

Homes for sale in the Boston North Shore region always offer a wealth of great possibilities. Making what will be one of the most important decisions of your life requires some planning for everything to work out well. If you follow some common sense advice, including using the help of an exclusive buyer's agent, you'll find that the process will go a lot more smoothly.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Real Estate Is Still The Best Investment Option

Do you want to invest some of your hard-earned money for your future? Real estate is one of the best long-term investment choices around, especially in the Boston North Shore area.  It seems that both the stock market and the housing market have recovered from catastrophic losses. The past three years have shown rapid progress with interest rates remaining at or near all-time lows. As Americans begin to rebuild their confidence in the market, they will see it is the best long-term investment around.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Homes for Sale: Three Factors that Would Matter Most in Your Search

Finding a home is a challenging task, and finding the perfect one from among the many different homes for sale in even just a single area poses even more of a challenge. In a location that offers diverse choices like Beverly, Massachusetts, you might want to do a few things differently to make your search easier. Read on for different facts you may want to consider to find your dream home.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Real Estate Investments: What You Need to Know About Rental Properties

Overall, the value of investing in real estate has increased over the past decades. One type of real estate investment is basic rental properties. This type of investment involves buying properties and renting them out to tenants. Before you buy your first rental property, here's what you need to know:

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Tips for Looking at Homes for Sale Before Moving into the Neighborhood

Many people have plans to relocate to one of the wonderful communities on the Boston North Shore, but won't be moving right away. There are enough homes for sale at any given time in this area of Massachusetts that you can easily select the perfect place for a later move-in. However, you'll want to follow some key steps to get the best deal.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Most Common Myths Associated with Purchasing Real Estate Properties

Buying a home is not an easy process, especially with so many myths that exist. Here are some common myths you should ignore when searching for Boston North Shore real estate. Always speak with an exclusive buyer agent to ensure that you receive the best advice and assistance.

You Need a High Credit Score to Get a House

There are loans available for different types of credit, which means you could still qualify for a home loan with a low credit score. It is a good idea to pay off all of your debt, but a low credit score will not prevent you from being approved for a loan. There are compensating factors that lenders may take into consideration when approving higher debt-to-ratio buyers.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

An Exclusive Buyer’s Agent can Help You Find North Shore Real Estate

Whether you’re purchasing your first home or you have bought and sold numerous homes over the years, working with an exclusive buyer’s agent can have a number of important advantages. For example, a professional real estate agent who exclusively works with buyers will have an excellent grasp of the local real estate market. This agent might even know of properties that have not yet been listed, but will soon be on the market. They’ll be able to guide their clients to the properties that best meet the buyer’s criteria.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Things First-Time Buyers Don’t Consider When Looking at Homes for Sale


Purchasing your first home is exciting; however, it can also be a challenging time. With all the information and tips out there, it can be difficult to cover everything. While you likely know the basics when searching homes for sale, you may leave out a few, important considerations. Some of these considerations are:

Friday, June 17, 2016

Beverly on the North Shore: Prime Real Estate with a Small Town Charm

 
Beverly, called the “Garden City,” is in Essex County, 26 miles from Boston. It is in a desirable and picturesque North Shore location that is a delightful choice for its residents to call home. It is a residential, resort, and manufacturing community with a small town charm, miles of coastline, thriving downtown businesses and restaurants, many artists running their own studios, first class public schools, five commuter rail stations, a municipal golf course, and more. When it comes to real estate,the median sales price of homes for March 9 to June 8, 2016 was $316,000, and the median rent per month was $2,100.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Some Helpful Home Viewing Tips for People Looking at Homes for Sale

Much of the advice regarding showing homes for sale is from the seller's point of view. The assumption seems to be that a buyer simply shows up, walks around, and decides whether or not to make an offer. However, unless you're a seasoned investor or a real estate professional, you may be overlooking certain etiquette or making common mistakes that could end up costing you if you decide to buy.

Monday, June 6, 2016

Buying a Home? Here are 3 Essential Tips in Buying Homes for Sale

Buying a home is a significant milestone in anyone's life. It is a massive undertaking and investment in the future, and it is something to be proud of. There are a lot of headaches and mistakes that can be made along the way if you are not prepared, however. The following tips will help you in searching among homes for sale and lead you on your path to home ownership!.

Save Up

Start saving way ahead of your projected purchase date. Do odd jobs if you need to save the extra cash and it is not in your current budget. Stop going on stress-related shoe shopping sprees and make your coffee at home instead of indulging in coffee from coffee shops twice a day.

Put everything you save from being thrifty in a savings account meant just for your home buying needs. The more purchase power you have, the better you will look to lenders.

Research

Thoroughly research the areas you are interested in moving to. Look into the crime rates. Research the schools if you have children or are planning to. Drive around the neighborhood at different hours of the day and night to get a feel for the general tone of the area.

Seek Help from an Exclusive Buyer's Agent

Enlist the help of an exclusive buyer's agent. These agents have only your best interest at heart because they are not worried about their commission; they are concerned about serving your needs.

Dual-representative agents make more when you spend more, so they may only show you real estate that is at your highest price point and may not disclose everything you would want to know for fear of losing the sale. This is not going to be the best for you in the long run. You want an agent  who will be your advocate.

These steps may sound simple, but they will make the home buying process much easier!

A Buyer’s Agent is an Excellent Way to Find the Home of Your Dreams

When you’re ready to purchase a home, finding the right property is certainly important. You’ll probably have a very clear idea of some of your top priorities. For example, you might have a general area in which you’d like to find a home as well as some items such as square footage, number of bedrooms or specific amenities that you consider essential elements in your new home. While it’s likely you’ll have to compromise some items, it’s certainly helpful for your exclusive buyer’s agent to have a good understanding of exactly what you’d like in your next home.

Some buyers choose to strike out on their own and look for their new home; however, this is often a big waste of time. An exclusive buyer’s agent will have a thorough knowledge of homes for sale in their area. Additionally, they’ll be able to narrow your search down to properties meeting your specific requirements. Why waste your time looking at properties that are missing some of the key elements you want in your new home?

With a wide range of homes for sale, exclusive buyer’s agents will be able to guide you to the properties that are most likely to be a great fit for your needs and budget. It can be hard to sort through the numerous properties on the market, but with the help of an experienced professional, you can focus on the homes for sale that actually fit your criteria. An exclusive buyer’s agent is committed to helping clients through the home buying process. It can be reassuring to know you are working with someone who specializes in finding homes for sale and matching them with prospective buyers.


Sources:

Buyer Agents: Working for You Free of Charge
www.realtor.com

What is an Exclusive Buyer Agent?
naeba.org

Monday, April 25, 2016

Three Ways to Best Communicate With Your Exclusive Real Estate Agent

 
When you are getting ready to buy your first home or invest in a piece of property, you will need to regularly communicate with your exclusive buyer's agent. If it has been a while since you last went through a real estate transaction, you may be surprised at the new methods of communication that can help your purchase go as smoothly as possible.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Three Ways to Avoid Delays at Closing When Buying Your First Home


When you have looked at several homes for sale and worked with your exclusive buyer's agent to negotiate a price, you do not want to let all of your efforts go to waste by having problems at closing. Delays at closing can be costly, as the interest rate could change and you could incur additional fees. Common causes for a delayed closing include problems with home loans, the home inspection or liens against the property. As the buyer, you can take these three actions to avoid delays at closing.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Looking for Homes for Sale in Massachusetts? Here are Some Tips


One of the many great things that come with the arrival of springtime in Massachusetts is an abundance of homes for sale. Then again, as with any major purchase, you want to make sure you know what you're doing and that you're getting your money's worth prior to investing. Following some well-established advice will help ensure that you make the right choices during your purchase.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Real Estate Tips: How to Score a Lower Interest Rate in Your Mortgage


Unless you have millions in cash just lying around, you probably won't buy a home and pay for it upfront with cash. Instead, you’ll be applying for a mortgage to be able to buy the property. Banks offer mortgage loans that allow you to purchase real estate and which you make payments for 15 to 30 years or so. You will be paying the mortgage amount as well as the interest that accumulates on that loan. If you qualify for a lower interest rate, you'll pay less over the terms of your loan. Here are some basic tips to qualify for a lower rate.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Homes for Sale: The Top Qualities to Look for in a Real Estate Agent

A real estate transaction can be one of the biggest, most complicated financial undertakings you will go through in your life. If you have no experience in the industry, then partnering with a real estate agent is an imperative move that will help you navigate the entire home selling or buying process with ease. But how can you tell if a real estate agent is a good one? Here are the qualities to look for:

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Why the Boston North Shore Has Much to Offer in terms of Real Estate

The Boston North Shore area of Massachusetts not only has a lot of prime real estate but offers the lifestyle that so many people are seeking. This area is close to both the Boston Metro and New Hampshire, but also has a distinctive character. You'll enjoy the variety of shopping and dining opportunities, as well as the many chances to enjoy the outdoors.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

A Closer Look at the Location of Your Ideal Home among Homes for Sale

There are numerous factors that home buyers look at when selecting among real estate properties for sale. For example, you may think about purchasing a home that has a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and you may refine your search based on a specific price range. In addition to this, many will narrow down the search to a specific zip code or geographic area. While this can be beneficial, it also can be helpful to focus on a few other factors related to the location.

Monday, January 18, 2016

How to Make the Most of an Open House When Looking for Homes for Sale

When you are looking at homes for sale, visiting your top candidates gives you the best feel as to whether a house fits your needs. One of the best ways to experience an open house is to attend it with your buyer's agent. Consider these three reasons why you should go to an open house with your buyer's agent if you are serious about making a purchase in the Boston North Shore community.

Asking Questions

As you walk through the open house, ask your buyer's agent any questions that come to mind about the property, such as whether the local elementary school has a good ranking, or whether the home's backyard is sized well compared to others in the neighborhood. You can also ask questions about whether the home's price makes sense for its overall condition and location.

Getting a New Perspective

Most of today's home buyers look at Internet listings before visiting homes for sale in person. When you are at the open house, you can get a new perspective about the property. Your buyer's agent can provide you with additional information such as typical traffic levels on the street, or whether any new construction is planned in the area.

Making an Offer

If you like a house well enough in person, then an open house is a great time to make an offer. Have your agent draw up a generic contract to bring along. By having your agent at your side, you can submit an official offer. In a competitive housing market in which there are more buyers than homes available, putting in an offer while you are at the open house may give you an edge on the competition.

Sources:
Open Houses That Work, realtormag.realtor.org

Open House Etiquette for Home Buyers, homebuying.about.com